Natural toys are distinctively comforting and captivating, they have a vintage charm to them. Due to their open-ended nature, children can play with them for hours on end. Natural toys are more simple with their basic shapes but at the same time, their versatility and endearing nature make them immensely beneficial for children’s development.
When you think of toys made of natural materials you think of wooden toys, but these toys can also be made of cotton, rubber, or wool. You see, non-organically made toys, like plastic or metal, are known to have toxic substances like PVC, BPA, lead paint, and the list can go on. When you see a product claiming to be natural, check what the natural materials are to help you in your purchasing decision.
Natural toys, like wooden toys, will not pollute your home with a lot of noise. A room that has natural toys is peaceful and inviting. You will also find that your children are not easily distracted and calmer due to this. You are what your surrounding is so creating the best environment for your children will encourage their mind to be calm and healthy. Naturally made toys benefit your health and that of the environment. So here are some benefits to go natural for your children’s toys.
There are many benefits of using toys made of natural materials like wooden toys.
They are safe.
When buying toys, the first thing I look at is whether they are safe for my kids. It is our natural maternal instinct to protect our children from harmful materials, which surround us these days. While we may not be able to completely remove everything harmful, we can minimize their presence around our children. Babies and young children tend to put everything in their mouths, so it can be especially dangerous to give them toys that contain these harmful materials. Alternatively, natural toys are naturally antibacterial, organic, and non-toxic so you won’t have to wonder if there are any dangerous manmade chemicals that your baby can potentially ingest.
They don’t cause skin ailments.
When babies and young children put toys in their mouths, they end up ingesting toxins that can cause many skin conditions like dermatitis or eczema.
They are eco-friendly.
Today, parents are more knowledgeable and also care about the environment. Not only are they concerned about the toxic substances in toys but also the harmful effects on the environment from their use. I am one of these parents. More so, one of our beliefs is using environmentally friendly products, and many of the brands that we proudly represent share our beliefs in producing toys made of natural materials and that are not harmful to the environment. Natural toys, like wooden toys, are sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable. So, if and when they do end up in a landfill, they will not cause much harm because when they breakdown, they will not leave any harmful traces.
They educate.
Based on research on child learning and development, wooden toys today are designed and crafted to aid children in learning about colors, shapes, sizes, and textures from a very young age. They also develop other skills like cause-and-effect, decision-making, logical thinking, and problem-solving.
They are good for sensory development, promote cognitive growth, and develop fine motor skills.
Natural toys are essential for the overall development of a child. By touching wooden toys and sensing their surface, shape, and size, children develop complex neurological connections in the brand which boosts their memory and develops their ability to carry out complex learning tasks. For example, wood can heat up and retain warmth and also has a natural smell. This is beneficial for children as they discover the world through touch, sight, smell, and taste making it a truly natural extension of play. To add to this, when children grab, lift, stack, balance, categorize wooden blocks and toys they learn to reason and make logical conclusions that support their cognitive growth and development of fine motor skills.
They trigger imagination and develop language.
If there is something that children master, it is the ability to imagine and create their world. They can take a simple stack of blocks and turn into a magical castle and go on an adventure. Natural wooden toys are simple but their versatility in design gives a child's imagination room to run wild. This shapes their creativity which boosts confidence and supports their language development. Children then communicate their adventurous story with others through the many new ideas that come to their mind during play.
They reduce anxiety.
Toys made of plastic or that are bright can overstimulate, stress, and even exhaust a child whereas the minimalistic and non-intrusive nature of wooden toys is soothing. Children experience quality imaginative play with harmony through wooden toys than any other material.
They promote sharing.
An essential element in a child’s development is to interact and work together effectively with other children. Wooden toys as simple as building blocks promote sharing with a friend as they begin to build new relationships, share ideas, listen, and grow empathy towards each other.
They are durable.
Wooden toys have a classic appeal and their basic learning attributes make them timeless and attractive for children of all ages. They have always been perceived as traditional play tools that can be passed on from one generation to the next due to their durability to withstand time and lots of play.
Now that you know the benefits of using toys made of natural materials, here’s a list of our favorite picks that I’m sure your children will love and also make great birthday gifts!
Wobbel Board
The Wobbel Board, also known as a balance board, is a curved beechwood board with an unlimited number of uses. Its simple design invites curiosity and to be creative with ways to play with it. Wobbel Boards aid balance, strength, motor skill development, and coordination. If you are looking for an open-ended toy, then this is the perfect option to start with. The Wobbel Board comes in a variety of options and colors: Wobbel Starter, Wobbel Original, Wobbel XL, Wobbel Pro, and Wobbel 360.
Candylab Toy Cars
If you have boys then you surely have toy cars in the playroom. I have to say that when I first saw this collection I instantly fell in love and wanted to buy the complete collection. These cars are made of a blend of all-natural materials: wood, rubber, and metal. The collection’s classic vintage design makes these cars truly the best wooden toy cars in the market.
Waytoplay Flexible Toy Road
If you have wooden toy cars, then you need a durable road to drive them on and no one does it better than WaytoPlay with their 100% child-safe and durable PVC roads. They are BPA, cadmium, PAH, and Phthalates free and conform to the highest USA and European EN-71 norm for toys. What's more, they believe in endless, open enjoyment so children are in the driving seat and make their own route, find their own way, and discover a new world.
Wooden Toys by Plan Toys and Grimm’s
Plan Toys promote sustainable play through their vast collection of wooden toys. From kitchen sets for kids to assorted fruits and vegetables to birthday cake sets, they have it all. I love their range of pretend play sets that truly allow the children to imagine themselves in different roles. My favorites are the Wooden Cleaning Set, Wooden Dentist Set, Wooden Hair Dresser Set, Wooden Pet Care Set, Wooden Vet Set, Wooden Makeup Set, Wooden Tool Belt, Wooden Doctor Set, and the Wooden Detective Set. On the other hand, Grimm’s Toys design durable wooden toys whose minimal design leaves room for children to get creative. They are my favorite kind of open-ended toys and they are so colorful! My favorite toys from their collection are the Rainbows.
Dolls by Bonikka and Olli Ella
The Bonikka dolls have a wide range of dolls that are made of either 100% cotton or 100% organic materials making them a great choice. They even offer Boy Doll Joe who we love! Another great choice for natural dolls is the Dinkum Dolls which are made from 100% cotton and their interior stuffing is hypo-allergenic polyfill. Their romper is made from itch-free acrylic yarn and their shoes are made from BPA & Phthalate free PVC.
Flatout Bears
These soft, cuddly, and flat bears are the perfect companion for babies. The best part is they are made of 100% Australian sheepskin which is a natural fiber known for repelling germs, self-cleaning, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic qualities.
Banwood Bikes
Banwood bikes are high-quality products influenced by Scandinavian design and although they may not be made of completely natural materials, they are the closest you can get. Their bikes feature a soft padded oak seat, vegan leather details, wooden oak pedals, and a wicker basket made of rattan.
Now that you know the overwhelming benefits of natural toys, and have a list of our favorite picks, shopping for a birthday present or your Christmas shopping just got easy!
The Crib is an online baby shop in Dubai, UAE that offers natural and inspiring products for babies and children.
